Tainted trio seek ICC hearing

The tainted Pakistani trio of Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir have requested a preliminary hearing of ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security unit to challenge the provisional suspensions imposed on them since September 4. Legal advisor to the Pakistan Cricket Board Tafazzul Rizvi said that the three players had sent their replies to the ICC suspension notices issued to them after the 'spot-fixing' scandal broke out.

"They have asked the ICC to convene a preliminary hearing to hear their point of view in the cases," he said. Rizvi said the players had exercised their right to a hearing before a ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal and the ICC will now convene a hearing in 40 days time.

Sources familiar with the ICC ACSU Code of Conduct for Players said that the trio, who allegedly conspired to bowl no-balls to order in Lord's Test against England last month, had to respond to the Notice of Charge issued to them by ACSU general manager within 14 days of getting the suspension notices.

"The three players consulted the PCB legal advisors, the Pakistan High Commission and the British barrister in London on how to exercise their right to a hearing before a an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal," one source said. "The players will be given an opportunity to contest their provincial suspensions at the provisional hearing," the source added.

Rizvi said that the players met PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt today and discussed the issue in detail with him. PCB sources said the three players had sent their replies to the ICC after getting feedback from the PCB legal team and the British barrister in London.

The three players, who have been allowed by the Scotland Yard to come back after a surety provided by the Pakistan government, have not spoken to the media since reaching their homes.

The source said if the trio had not sent a request by the deadline for a tribunal hearing, it would have meant they have waived their entitlement to a hearing.

"It will also be deemed that they have admitted that they have committed the offence (s) under the Anti-corruption code specified in the Notice of Charge sent to them by the ACSU," the source added.